Shamik Chakrabarty in Colombo
For a long period, Virat Kohli batted at the nets, first taking throwdowns, followed by match simulations. India had an optional practice session at Premadasa Stadium here in Colombo on Wednesday, and the focus was on getting into the ODI groove ahead of the three-match series that starts on Friday.
The ODI contingent had arrived in Sri Lanka a couple of days ago and started to train under assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. At the conclusion of the T20I series, other players and coaching staff reached Colombo from Pallekele on Wednesday afternoon. The players who took part in the T20I series, preferred to cool their heels but the coaching staff turned up at the ground.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir was present and he had a lengthy conversation with Kohli. Both looked relaxed. Before that, Kohli had a brief chat with KL Rahul, which from a distance looked like something on technical issues. Of course, it’s not known what transpired in the conversation between Gambhir and Kohli, but apparently, it looked business as usual. There was also an on-field conference between Gambhir, skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Some eyebrows were raised after Gambhir was appointed India coach, how he would gel with the team’s biggest star. The two had run-ins in the IPL in the past, but that’s water under the bridge now. Gambhir has already spoken about how he and Kohli are “on the same page” as regards to achieving success for the Indian team.
“What kind of relationship do I share with Virat Kohli?” Gambhir had asked a counter question in his first press conference after assuming charge. “I think it’s between two mature individuals.”
He aimed a dig at gossip-mongers, saying: “Good for the TRP, but my relationship is not public.” Gambhir defended his on-field run-ins with Kohli, saying that both fought for their respective franchises and wanted to win. At the same time, he made it clear that it was all hunky-dory off the field.
“I share a very good relationship off the field and we will continue to do that,” Gambhir had said. “But yes, to make it more public, what kind of relationship (we share), I think it’s between two individuals.”